When it comes to big money buys, KKR hasn’t always had the best returns. Yes, they shelled out Rs. 24.75 crore for Mitchell Starc during the IPL 2024 auction and he did deliver them the title, but struggled initially. Venkatesh Iyer felt the pressure of the price tag last season when he wore the purple and gold last year, scored 142 runs in 11 matches and was dismissed. Will the same happen to Cameron Green?
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IPL 2026: COMPLETE COVERAGE
The Australian all-rounder was bought by Calcutta in a year a record Rs. 25.2 million crownsbut he has not enjoyed the best form of late. He has scored 117 runs in seven T20Is this year and bowled just 7.1 overs for two wickets. So will the pressure on the price tag weigh on him? Well, KKR assistant coach Shane Watson doesn’t feel that way.
In the pre-match press conference ahead of the MI clash, Watson said he didn’t feel the all-rounder would be suffocated by the pressure of the money they paid for him, pointing out that he has performed for MI and RCB in the past despite his price tag.
“I’ve seen players in the past who have had a big price tag on them. I’ve seen them crumble in the past, that wave of expectation really stifled their ability to perform at their best,” Watson told reporters.
“Cameron certainly doesn’t see it that way. We saw with him when he was picked to play here at MI a couple of years ago for pretty decent money, he had a very good season.”
Green was bought first by MI for Rs. 17.5 crore in 2023 and subsequently traded to RCB for the same amount the following year. Since then, he has scored 707 runs and taken 16 wickets in 29 matches.
‘NOTHING TO LOSE’
Watson said Green is playing with a nothing-to-lose attitude when it comes to the IPL, which will hold him in good stead going into the tournament.
“That’s his mindset when it comes to the IPL, that he has nothing to lose,” Watson said.
KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against MI on Sunday, March 29.
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Published on:
29 Mar 2026 02:00 IST
